Bid to make Greater use of Galloway Community Hospital’s Resources

A WAY of making greater use of resources within Galloway Community Hospital is to be trialled over the next three to six months.

An expansion of the ambulatory service and the creation of a 24/7 Emergency Department observation unit is set to be trialled as part of the Transforming Wigtownshire programme workstream ‘Making most of the Galloway Community Campus’.

The hospital’s Nursing and Services Manager Natalie Adams said: “The workstream within Transforming Wigtownshire is looking to ensure that the resources we have at Galloway Community Hospital are being used to maximum benefit.

“Currently, we’re in a position where not all the inpatient bed space within the hospital is always being used, and yet must always be staffed and maintained.

“Our twofold test of change will see us adopt a more dynamic model of working, using two beds to enhance and expand the ambulatory service which currently runs Monday to Friday, 8 am to 3.30 pm.

“This expansion will not only include the extra space but it will expand the staffing capacity so that the unit can operate from 8 am to 8 pm, Monday to Friday. This will give people the opportunity to have treatment after work or be able to get intravenous medication two to three times a day without the need for admission. 

“The second element of our test of change is utilising a further two beds to provide an Emergency Department observation unit which will be open 24/7, 365 days a year. 

“This will provide a safe and effective area to observe those individuals who are either waiting to be transferred to a more specialised facility for further care or those individuals who need short term treatment of less than 24 hours, thus avoiding  the need for a hospital admission.”

Natalie added: “There is built-in capacity for this test of change, with the flexibility to revert any of those four beds back to inpatient beds should they be needed.

“The outcomes from this test of change will be evaluated and measured – and the results made publicly available. We’d also very much welcome any comments or suggestions around this approach from anyone who uses this service.”

Meanwhile, people are still being asked to get involved with the Transforming Wigtownshire programme and take on a role in shaping approaches to health and social care.

To get involved, contact the locality office on 01776 707757 or email [email protected]